XN000022-1997-04-23 — Page 38

- 21 -

Consultants

Finally, I must reiterate a point I have put to Members before, and that is that the PAC's observation on the Government's "habitual dependency on external consultants" is unfounded. The Administration uses consultants only when there is a demonstrable case for it. These reasons include insufficient staff to undertake work within the timeframe required, lack of certain specialist professional expertise, or a need to bring in new concepts for planning, design or operation of facilities. I wish to assure Members that departments do and will continue to look critically at the need to employ consultants and will ensure that the necessary briefs and guidance to the consultants are properly drawn up and complied with.

Mr President, the Government is committed to working closely with the Audit Department and the Public Accounts Committee in achieving our common objective of the more efficient use of public funds. I am confident that the measures we have taken, or are planning to take, will go a long way towards this end.

End

Special arrangements for fireworks display

Following is a question by the Hon Yeung Sum and an oral reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is learnt that on 4 March this year the Executive Council endorsed the plan to hold a grand fireworks display on 27 April this year as one of the functions to mark the opening of the Lantau Link. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the estimated number of spectators viewing the fireworks display on site, together with the estimated number of spectators at each viewing point;